Persistent dry conditions in the Rainy-Namakan basin, and continued decline in the level of Rainy Lake, forced the International Rainy Lake Board of Control to authorize a reduction in the lake’s outflow last Thursday—and the Township of Emo is concerned.
“We talked about it at the last council meeting and we have put in a complaint that we don’t want them to lower the water any more,” noted Coun. Gary Judson, who sits on the Rainy and Namakan Lakes Water Level Advisory Committee.
Rainy Lake’s outflow is being reduced from its present 100 cubic metres per second (3,530 cubic feet per second) down to 80 m3/s (2,830 ft3/s).
The reduction occurred in two steps of 10 m3/s (350 ft3/s) on Monday and Tuesday mornings (Dec. 11-12).
Following the outflow reduction, Rainy River water levels will be allowed to stabilize for one week, after which the IRLBC will consider possible further outflow reductions, but to no lower than 65 m3/s (2,300 ft3/s).
“Before we would notice it start to go down . . . I would guess probably a week before we would notice much difference,” Coun. Judson said.
On the other hand, he noted the water level in Emo actually has gone up recently.
“Not much, but about eight inches,” he remarked. “The rain and snow a couple days ago must have brought it up.
“Our water intake still has three feet of water over it,” he added. “It would have to get a lot lower than it is before our wells would go dry, but it’s still a concern.
“And we have voiced our concern to the board,” Coun. Judson stressed. “I think it’s good to let them know there is someone else besides them on the river.”
The decision to reduce the outflow was taken under the terms of the International Joint Commission’s January, 2001 Consolidated Order for regulation of the level of Rainy Lake and of other boundary waters in the Rainy Lake watershed.
Back in early October, the level of Rainy Lake fell below its “drought line,” as defined in the Consolidated Order.
Under the terms of the Consolidated Order, Rainy Lake minimum outflow
may be further reduced from 100 m3/s (3,530 ft3/s) to not less than 65 m3/s (2,300 ft3/s), at the discretion of the board, whenever the lake level is below its drought line and following consultations with resource agencies, affected municipalities, and others.
The board sought and obtained the views of these interests prior to its decision on Thursday.
The current level of Rainy Lake is 336.83 m (1,105.1 ft.), which is 45 cm (18 in.) below its lower rule curve and 17 cm (seven in.) below its drought line.
Up-to-date information can be found by following the IRLBC’s link at www.ijc.org
People also can call the board’s engineering advisors, Rick Walden (1-819-997-2529) or Ed Eaton (1-651-290-5617).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
